Living a hermit-like existence in her remote and self-sufficient home in Australia, Rachel has no idea that the outside world has entirely crumbled until another woman and her sick baby knock on her door in the middle of the night. Hannah, mother of poorly baby Isaiah, explains that something mysterious and invisible has spread throughout the world, causing the near-instant death of whoever they encounter. Nearly everyone else has died and society as we know it has disintegrated into chaos, though Hannah and her baby have somehow survived. They ask for Rachel’s help to find medical supplies, so she reluctantly leaves her protective bubble with them on a dangerous hike through the forest.

Nevada was first published nearly ten years ago in 2013, but it is only the tech, the slang, and some aspects of the drug-fuelled punk aesthetic that seem to have aged. As a novel narrated by a trans woman (Maria), its take on relationships and the long process of figuring out your sense of self still feels fresh and important today. 

The book largely manages to steer clear of cliché and many have praised Binnie for writing a trans novel that finally ‘gets it’. Here, we have a story that focuses on trans experience, but that isn’t about a character’s transition; a depiction of a trans mentorship/parenting scenario that feels realistically awkward and unrehearsed; and a road trip without the classic American resolution. 

I just Googled the title of Bella Mackie’s novel and am now fairly certain I’m on some sort of criminal watch list. Not to worry – I’ve learnt enough from the psychopathic but worryingly relatable main character Grace Bernard to worm my way out of any legal trouble. Tip number one seems fairly obvious: don’t write down a detailed account of your misdeeds. But then, we wouldn’t have this romp of a cynical comedy to entertain us…